Information processing apparatus and method and display control apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The invention is intended to allow a plurality of users to share a single apparatus while securing the privacy of each user. A terminal is made portable and detachable from a base. Data exchange by radio is made possible between the base and the terminal, and E-mail or facsimile data that is received by the base through a telephone circuit is stored in the terminal. A user can remove the terminal from the base and carry it to his room, and can display a stored E-mail message or facsimile data there.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/037,217, filed Mar.10, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus andmethod and a display control apparatus and method. In particular, theinvention relates to an information processing apparatus and method anda display control apparatus and method which enable a single apparatusto be shared by, for instance, a plurality of family members in a homewhile a certain level of privacy is secured.

2. Description of the Related Art

Networks as typified by the Internet have spread in recent years andtransmission of a message to a desired person is now commonly.done byE-mail or facsimile in not only places of work but also homes.

Conventionally, in each home, a received facsimile message or E-mail isdisplayed on a television receiver or a display device of a personalcomputer.

However, where E-mail or a facsimile message is displayed on, forinstance, a television receiver, there is a problem that other familymembers may be informed of a message that one family member does notwant them to know; that is, his privacy is not secured.

Where a message received by E-mail or facsimile is displayed on atelevision receiver, screen switching, screen division, or likeprocessing is needed to display the icon of an urgent facsimile messageor E-mail or view its contents on the television screen. This causes aproblem that a user cannot fully enjoy television programs during suchprocessing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to prevent such an event that auser cannot fully enjoy television programs and to secure the privacy ofeach family member.

The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect ofthe present invention comprises a first member and a second member. Thefirst member comprises communicating means for communicating with atelephone network; supplying means for supplying power to the secondmember; and first exchanging means for exchanging data wirelessly withthe second member. The second member comprises second exchanging meansfor exchanging data wirelessly with the first member; processing meansfor processing data that is supplied from the first member; displaymeans for performing a prescribed display; and input means for allowinga prescribed input.

The information processing method according to the first aspect of thepresent invention comprises, in the first member, a communicating stepof communicating with a telephone network; a supplying step of supplyingpower to a second member; and a first exchanging step of exchanging datawirelessly with the second member. The information processing methodfurther comprises, in the second member, a second exchanging step ofexchanging data wirelessly with the first member; a processing step ofprocessing data that is supplied from the first member; a display stepof performing a prescribed display; and an input step of allowing aprescribed input.

In the information processing apparatus and the information processingmethod according to the first aspect of the present invention, data isexchanged wirelessly between the first member and the second member.Information is displayed on the second member that is portable anddetachable from the first member.

The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect ofthe present invention comprises storing means for storing informationthat is received through a telephone network; selection meansconstituted of symbols displayed on a display device, and selected by aplurality of users, respectively, to identify themselves in reading outa desired one from among pieces of information directed to the usersthat are stored in the storing means; and output means for reading out,when one symbol of the selection means is selected, a piece ofinformation corresponding to the selected symbol from among the piecesof information stored in the storing mean, and for outputting theread-out piece of information.

In the above information processing apparatus, a plurality of symbolsare provided to allow a plurality of users to identify themselves. Whenone of the plurality of symbols is selected, a piece of informationcorresponding to the selected symbol is read out from the pieces ofinformation stored in the storage device.

The information processing method according to the second aspect of thepresent invention comprises a storing step of storing information thatis received through a telephone network; a preparing step of preparing aplurality of symbols corresponding to a plurality of users,respectively, so that a selection can be made from among the symbols forthe users to identify themselves in reading out a desired one from amongpieces of information directed to the users that are stored in thestoring step; and an output step of reading out, when one symbol isselected, a piece of information corresponding to the selected symbolfrom among the pieces of information stored in the storing step, andoutputting the read-out piece of information.

In the above information processing method, a plurality of symbolscorresponding to a plurality of users, respectively, are prepared. Whenone of the plurality of symbols is selected, a piece of informationcorresponding to the selected symbol is read out from the pieces ofinformation stored.

The information processing apparatus according to the third aspect ofthe present invention comprises storing means for storing E-mailaddresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be accessedthrough a telephone network; manipulation means to be manipulated inaccessing a desired person through the telephone network; first displaymeans for displaying, when an instruction to access a certain person byE-mail is made, a correlation table of the E-mail addresses and thetelephone numbers of the respective persons and information necessary totransmit E-mail at the same time; second display means for displaying,when an instruction to access a certain person by telephone, acorrelation table corresponding to that displayed by the first displaymeans and information necessary for access by telephone at the sametime; and accessing means for accessing, when one person is selectedfrom the correlation table, the selected person through the telephonenetwork.

The information processing method according to the third aspect of thepresent invention comprises a storing step of storing E-mail addressesand telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be accessed through atelephone network; a manipulation step in which a manipulation is madein accessing a desired person through the telephone network; a firstdisplay step of displaying, when an instruction to access a certainperson by E-mail is made, a correlation table of the E-mail addressesand the telephone numbers of the respective persons and informationnecessary to transmit E-mail at the same time; a second display step ofdisplaying, when an instruction to access a certain person by telephone,a correlation table corresponding to that displayed by the first displaymeans-and information necessary for access by telephone at the sametime; and an accessing step of accessing, when one person is selectedfrom the correlation table, the selected person through the telephonenetwork.

In the information processing apparatus and the information processingmethod according to the third aspect of the present invention, acorrelation table of E-mail addresses and telephone numbers ofrespective persons is displayed in each of a case of accessing a certainperson by E-mail and a case of accessing a certain person by telephone.

The display control apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises first display means for displaying first information necessaryto access a certain person who is determined by an E-mail address;second display means for displaying second information necessary toaccess a certain person who is determined by a telephone number; firstmanipulation means to be displayed together with the first informationand to be manipulated in making a transition from a state that the firstinformation is displayed to a state that the second information isdisplayed; and second manipulation means to be displayed together withthe second information and to be manipulated in making a transition fromthe state that the second information is displayed to the state that thefirst information is displayed.

The display control method according to the present invention comprisesa first step of displaying first information necessary to access acertain person who is determined by an E-mail address; a second step ofdisplaying second information necessary to access a certain person whois determined by a telephone number; a third step of displaying,together with the first information, a first manipulation portion to bemanipulated in making a transition from a state that the firstinformation is displayed to a state that the second information isdisplayed; and a fourth step of displaying, together with the secondinformation, a second manipulation portion to be manipulated in making atransition from the state that the second information is displayed tothe state that the first information is displayed.

In the display control apparatus and the display control methodaccording to the present invention, the manipulation portion to bemanipulated in making a transition to the other state is displayed ineach of a state that first information necessary to access a certainperson by using his E-mail address is displayed and a state that secondinformation necessary to access a certain person by using his telephonenumber is displayed.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus and theinformation processing method according to the first aspect of thepresent invention, data is exchanged wirelessly between the first andsecond members, information is displayed and a prescribed input isallowed in the second member, and the second member is portable.Therefore, it becomes possible for a plurality of users to immediatelycheck received information while the privacy of each user is secured.There no longer occurs an event that the use of other AV devices such asa television receiver is obstructed.

In the information processing apparatus according to the second aspectof the present invention, a plurality of symbols are allocated to aplurality of users, respectively. When one of the plurality of symbolsis selected, a piece of information corresponding to the selected symbolis read out from the pieces of information stored in the storage deviceand is then output. Therefore, it becomes possible for the plurality ofusers to check received information while the privacy of each user issecured.

In the information processing method according to the second aspect ofthe present invention, a plurality of symbols corresponding to aplurality of users, respectively, are prepared. When one of theplurality of symbols is selected, a piece of information correspondingto the selected symbol is read out from the pieces of information storedand is then output. Therefore, it becomes possible for the plurality ofusers to check received information while the privacy of each user issecured.

In the information processing apparatus and the information processingmethod according to the third aspect of the present invention, acorrelation table of E-mail addresses and telephone numbers is commonlyused in a case of accessing a certain person by E-mail and a case ofaccessing a certain person by telephone. Therefore, a process ofexchanging data by E-mail and a process of exchanging- data by facsimilecan be executed substantially without discriminating those processesfrom each other, i.e., regarding those processes as substantially thesame kind of process.

In the display control apparatus and the display control methodaccording to the present invention, a manipulation for making atransition to the other state is possible in each of a state that firstinformation is displayed and a state that second information isdisplayed. Therefore, switching between access by telephone and accessby E-mail can be made quickly. For example, when absence of a person tocommunicate with is found by calling him, switching to access by E-mailcan be made immediately. The ease of operation is thus improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the information processing apparatus ina state that a telephone 2 and a pen 4 are detached therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a front-side structure of a terminal 3shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view showing a back-side structure of the terminal 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a top-side structure of the terminal 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a bottom-side structure of the terminal3;

FIG. 7 is a right-hand side view showing a side structure of theterminal 3;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a front-side structure of the telephone2;

FIG. 9 is a left-hand side view showing a side structure of thetelephone 2;

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a front-side structure of a base 1 shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a top-side structure of the base 1;

FIG. 12 shows a back-side structure of the information processingapparatus in a state that the terminal 3 is mounted on the base 1;

FIG. 13 shows a front-side structure of the information processingapparatus in a state that the telephone 2 is mounted on the base 1;

FIG. 14 shows a side structure of the information processing apparatusin a state that the telephone 2 and the terminal 3 are mounted on thebase 1;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the base1, the telephone 2, and the terminal 3;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal 3;

FIGS. 18-24 are photographs of display examples on a LCD of the terminal3;

FIGS. 25-28 are a flowchart showing an operation of the terminal 3 in aMAIL/TEL mode;

FIGS. 29-32 are photographs of display examples on the LCD of theterminal 3;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of home net controlin the terminal 3;

FIGS. 34 and 35 are photographs showing display examples on the LCD ofthe terminal 3;

FIGS. 36 and 37 show how transitions occur between displayed pictures inthe terminal 3; and

FIG. 38 shows how the information processing apparatus of FIG. 1 isused.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before description of an embodiment of the present invention, to clarifya correlation between the means of the invention described in the claimsand the components of the embodiment, the features of the invention willbe described below in such a manner that the respective means arefollowed, in parentheses, by the corresponding components (justexamples) of the embodiment. Naturally this description does not meanthat the respective means are limited to the associated components.

The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect ofthe present invention comprises a first member (for instance, a base 1shown in FIG. 1) and a second member (for instance, a terminal 3 shownin FIG. 1). The first means comprises communicating means (for instance,a modem 47 shown in FIG. 15) for communicating with a telephone network;supplying means (for instance, a charger 42 shown in FIG. 15) forsupplying power to the second member; and first exchanging means (forinstance, an RF transmission/reception section 46 shown in FIG. 15) forexchanging data wirelessly with the second member. The second membercomprises second exchanging means (for instance, an RFtransmission/reception section 65 shown in FIG. 15) for exchanging datawirelessly with the first member; processing means (for instance, a CPU61 shown in FIG. 15) for processing data that is supplied from the firstmember; display means (for instance, an LCD 11 shown in FIG. 15) forperforming a prescribed display; and input means (for instance, a touchpanel 16 shown in FIG. 15) for allowing a prescribed input.

The information processing apparatus according to the second aspect ofthe present invention comprises storing means (for instance, a storagedevice 64 shown in FIG. 15) for storing information that is receivedthrough a telephone network; selection means (for instance, symbols 103shown in FIG. 18) constituted of symbols displayed on a display device,and selected by a plurality of users, respectively, to identifythemselves in reading out a desired one from among pieces of informationdirected to the users that are stored in the storing means; and outputmeans (for instance, a CPU 61 shown in FIG. 15) for reading out, whenone symbol of the selection means is selected, a piece of informationcorresponding to the selected symbol from among the pieces ofinformation stored in the storing mean, and for outputting the read-outpiece of information.

The information processing apparatus according to the present inventionfurther comprises discriminating means (for instance, marks 102 shown inFIG. 18) for indicating, when information directed to a user has beenstored in the storing means, that information directed to the user isstored in the storing means.

The information processing apparatus according to the third aspect ofthe present invention comprises storing means (for instance, a storagemeans 64 shown in FIG. 15) for storing E-mail addresses and telephonenumbers of a plurality of persons to be accessed through a telephonenetwork; manipulation means (for instance, a MAIL/TEL tab 131 shown inFIG. 23) to be manipulated in accessing a desired person through thetelephone network; first display means (for instance, step S16 shown inFIG. 17) for displaying, when an instruction to access a certain personby E-mail is made, a correlation table of the E-mail addresses and thetelephone numbers of the respective persons and information necessary totransmit E-mail at the same time; second display means (for instance,step S16 shown in FIG. 17) for displaying, when an instruction to accessa certain person by telephone, a correlation table corresponding to thatdisplayed by the first display means and information necessary foraccess by telephone at the same time; and accessing means (for instance,a modem 47 shown in FIG. 15) for accessing, when one person is selectedfrom the correlation table, the selected person through the telephonenetwork.

The display control apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises first display means (for instance, step S34 shown in FIG. 25)for displaying first information necessary to access a certain personwho is determined by an E-mail address; second display means (forinstance, step S42 shown in FIG. 25) for displaying second informationnecessary to access a certain person who is determined by a telephonenumber; first manipulation means (for instance, a button 141A shown inFIG. 29) to be displayed together with the first information and to bemanipulated in making a transition from a state that the firstinformation is displayed to a state that the second information isdisplayed; and second manipulation means (for instance, a button 141Bshown in FIG. 30) to be displayed together with the second informationand to be manipulated in making a transition from the state that thesecond information is displayed to the state that the first informationis displayed.

FIGS. 1-14 show an example of configuration of an information processingapparatus according to the invention. As shown in these figures, theinformation processing apparatus is basically composed of a base 1, acordless telephone 2 that is detachably mounted on the base 1, and aterminal 3. The base 1 is placed on a desk, a table, or the like. Theterminal 3 is a portable one that can easily be carried by hand whendetached from the base 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, an LCD 11 having a touch panel 16 on its frontsurface is provided at the front side of the terminal 3. Beingtransparent, the touch panel 16 allows a user to see a displayed imageof the LCD 11 that is provided at the back side of the touch panel 16.Provided above the LCD 11, a video camera 12 can photograph a user whois viewing the LCD 11. A microphone 15, which is provided in thevicinity of the video camera 12, can pick up voice of the user in thisstate. A speaker 13 is provided outside the LCD 11 so as to allow theuser who is viewing the LCD 11 to easily hear sound that is output fromthe speaker 13. A plurality of buttons 14 to be manipulated to inputbasic instructions to the terminal 3 are provided under the LCD 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the top surface of the terminal 3 has, at its leftposition, an insertion hole 21 where a pen 4 is to be inserted. When theuser does not use the pen 4, he insert it into the insertion hole 21.When the user uses the pen 4, he can pick it up from the insertion hole21 and make a desired input to the touch panel 16.

As shown in FIG. 8, the telephone 2 is provided with a speaker 32 and amicrophone 33 at upper and lower positions, respectively. Buttons 31 forinput of numbers etc. are provided between the speaker 32 and themicrophone 33.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the base 1 has recesses 1A and 1B foraccommodating the telephone 2 and the terminal 3, respectively.

Although not shown in any of FIGS. 1-14, contacts for supplying powerfrom a charger 42 (see FIG. 15) of the base 1 to a secondary battery 35(see FIG. 15) that is incorporated in the telephone 2 are providedbetween the base 1 and the telephone 2. Similarly, contacts forsupplying power from the charger 42 of the base 1 to a secondary battery66 (see FIG. 15) of the terminal 3 are provided between the base 1 andthe terminal 3.

FIG. 15 shows an example of internal electrical configuration of thebase 1, the telephone 2, and the terminal 3. The base 1 is provided witha microcomputer 45 having a CPU 43 and a memory 44. The microcomputer 45controls operations performed in the base 1. An RFtransmission/reception section 46 exchanges, by radio, data with an RFtransmission/reception section 65 of the terminal 3, an AV controller53, or a character input device 54. A power circuit 41 supplies power tothe respective sections in the base 1 as well as supplies charging powerto a secondary battery 66 of the terminal 3 and a secondary battery 35of the telephone via a charger 42.

A modem 47 performs interface processing of an communication between atelephone circuit 51 and the microcomputer 45. An interface 48 performsinterface processing of data that is exchanged between the external AVcontroller 53 and the microcomputer 45 via an IEEE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 bus 52.

In the telephone 2, the secondary battery 35 supplies power to therespective sections. A control section 36 controls an RFtransmission/reception section 34 in accordance with an instruction frombuttons 31, and makes it exchange data with the RFtransmission/reception section 65 of the terminal 3 or the RFtransmission/reception section 46 of the base 1. A microphone 33captures an audio signal originating from a user and outputs it to theRF transmission/reception section 34. A speaker 32 outputs an audiosignal that is supplied from the RF transmission/reception section 34.

The terminal 3 is provided with a microcomputer 63 having a CPU 61 and amemory 62. The microcomputer 63 controls various operations performed inthe terminal 3. The touch panel 16 captures data that is input with thepen 4 and supplies the captured data to the microcomputer 63. Themicrocomputer 63 executes various processes in accordance with amanipulation signal from buttons 14 or an input from the RFtransmission/reception section 65, and makes the LCD 11 perform properdisplay and stores various information in the memory 62 or a storagedevice 64.

Being a solid-state memory or a hard disk drive, the storage device 64stores an E-mail message and facsimile data that are transmittedexternally, audio data that is transmitted via the telephone 2, andother data. The RF transmission/reception section 65 supplies themicrocomputer 63 with data that is input, by radio, from the RFtransmission/reception section 46 of the base 1 or the RFtransmission/reception section 34 of the telephone 2, or data that isinput, by radio, from the AV controller 53. Further, the RFtransmission/reception section 65 can receive character data that istransmitted by radio from the character input device 54.

When an ID card 71 is inserted in the terminal 3, the microcomputer 63can read it and thereby identify a user. Further, the microcomputer 63supplies data that is captured with the video camera 12 or themicrophone 15 to the RF transmission/reception section 46 of the base 1,the RF transmission/reception section 34 of the telephone 2, or the AVcontroller 53 via the RF transmission/reception section 65. The speaker13 emits sound based on an audio signal of a prescribed form that isinput from the microcomputer 63. The secondary battery 66 suppliesnecessary power to the respective section of the terminal 3.

Next, an operation of the terminal 3 will be described with reference toa flowchart of FIGS. 16 and 17. As soon as the power of the terminal 3is turned on, the CPU 61 executes a process of automatically recordingE-mail or facsimile data when it is transmitted via the telephonecircuit 51. Specifically, upon reception of such data via the modem 47,the CPU 43 of the base 1 makes the RF transmission/reception section 46transmit, by radio, the received data to the RF transmission/receptionsection 65 of the terminal 3. Upon reception of that data via the RFtransmission/reception section 65, the CPU 61 of the terminal 3 storesit in the storage device 64.

Whereas always executing the above process, the CPU 61 also executes theprocess shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. At step S1, the CPU 61 executes aprocess of displaying a menu picture. Specifically, the CPU 61 generatesmenu picture data as shown in FIG. 18, and outputs it to the LCD 11 tomake the LCD 11 display a menu picture. A display example of FIG. 18includes five symbols 103 that symbolize the human shape. Namescorresponding to the respective symbols 103 are shown under therespective symbols 103. That is, the symbols 103 are correlated withrespective family members of a home in which the information processingapparatus is used and the names of the family members are shown underthe respective symbols 103. The names are registered in the storagedevice 64 by a user by manipulating the character input device 54 ineach home.

In the display example of FIG. 18, the names Jon, Laura, Mike, Jane, andGreg are allocated to the respective symbols 103 in order from the left.The symbols 103 have different colors, for instance, blue, green, gray,pink, and yellow in order from the left.

A window 101 is shown approximately at the center of the menu picture,and various information that is exchanged via the telephone circuit 51is shown in the window 101. In this display example, the informationshown in the window 101 includes the number (5) of received E-mail andthe number of (2) of received telephone calls (item “TEL”). In theinformation processing apparatus, news delivery is made via thetelephone circuit 51. Whether delivery has been made is indicated by theitem “WEB.” In this example, the item “WEB” is associated withcharacters “NON” because no delivery has been made.

When recording is reserved with respect to a video tape recorder (VTR)(not shown) that is connected the AV controller 53 via the IEEE 1394 bus52, the details of the reservation are shown at the item “VTR.” In thisdisplay example, the reservation is such that a broadcast program on the86th channel will be recorded from PM 4:30 to 5:00.

Further, assume a case that reservation of a ticket was requested to acertain agent through the Internet, for instance. In the display exampleof FIG. 18, if a reservation result of the ticket has been transmittedfrom the agent through the Internet, it is shown at the item “AGENT.”

Marks 102 are shown at the right end of the window 101 in associationwith each information. Each mark 102 has the same color as thecorresponding symbol 103. For example, if the two marks 102 located onthe right of the item “E-Mail” have colors blue and gray, it means thatE-mail messages have been transmitted to Jon and Mike who are given theblue and gray symbols 103, respectively, and stored in the storagedevice 64. If the marks 102 located on the right of the item “TEL” havecolors pink and blue, it means that telephone calls arrived that weredirected to Jane and Jon who are given the pink and blue symbols 103,respectively. If the mark 102 located on the right of the item “VTR” hasa color yellow, it means a reservation by Greg who is given the yellowsymbol 103. Similarly, if the mark 102 located on the right of the item“AGENT” has a color green, it means that this information is directed toLaura who is given the green symbol 103.

At step S2, the CPU 61 waits until reception of an input. When a certaininput is made, the process goes to step S3, where a password inputpicture display process is executed. At this step, the CPU 61 causes theLCD 11 to display a password input picture that is exemplified in FIG.19. Buttons 121 are shown at a lower position of this picture. A userinputs his own password by touching desired ones of the buttons 121.Naturally, the password of each user (i.e., each symbol 103) has beeninput in advance and registered in the storage device 64.

At step S4, the CPU 61 judges whether the password that has been inputby the user corresponds to the input that was made at step S2. If theinput password does not correspond to the input of step S2, the processreturns to step S1, where a menu picture is again displayed.

For example, when a user touches the item “E-Mail” with the pen 4 in astate that the menu picture of FIG. 18 is displayed, E-mail messages canbe read out from the storage device 64. In this example, only the E-mailmessages directed to Jon and Mike who are give the blue and gray symbols103, respectively, have been received at the present time. Therefore, tosecure the users' privacy, even if Laura, for instance, touches the item“E-Mail” with the pen 4, no E-mail messages should be displayed as longas a password that is input by her is not Jon's or Mike's password. Tothis end, if it is judged at step S4 that the input password does notcorrespond to the input of step S2, the process is prohibited from goingto the following steps.

In this example, if an instruction to read out E-mail information ismade at step S2 and Jon's or Mike's password is input, the inputpassword should correspond to the input of step S2. If this is the case,the process goes to step S5, where it is judged whether the item touchedwith the pen 4 at step S2 is a person key (i.e., symbol 103). If thetouched item is a symbol 103, it means that the user intends to dosomething by using the terminal 3. Therefore, the process goes to stepS12.

If it is judged at step S5 that the touched item is not a symbol 103,the process goes to step S6, where it is judged whether the touched itemis the item “WEB” (WEB key). If the touched item is the WEB key, theprocess goes to step S7, where the CPU 61 executes a WEB picture displayprocess. That is, the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a picture asexemplified in FIG. 20 as a WEB picture for accessing a given serverthrough the Internet, for instance.

If it is judged at step S6 that the touched item is not the WEB key, theprocess goes to step S8, where it is judged whether the touched item isthe E-mail key. If it is judged that the touched item is the E-mail key,the process goes to step S9, where a MAIL/TEL picture display process isexecuted. That is, the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a MAIL/TELpicture as shown in FIG. 21. E-mail messages so far received are readout from the storage device 64 and shown in this picture. Morecorrectly, only E-mail massages directed to the user (symbol 103)corresponding to the input password are displayed. With this measure,the privacy of a plurality of family members can be secured even in acase where the terminal 3 is shared by them.

On the other hand, if it is judged at step S8 that the touched item isnot the E-mail key, the process goes to step S10, where it is judgedwhether the touched item is the item “VTR” (VTR key). If it is judgedthat the touched item is the VTR key, the process goes to step S11,where a HOME NET picture display process is executed. In this case, aHOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed on the LCD 11.

If it is judged at step S10 that the touched item is not the VTR key, itis judged which of the remaining keys was touched and a processcorresponding to a judgment result is executed.

On the other hand, if it is judged at step S5 that the a person key(symbol 103) was touched on the menu picture, the process goes to stepS12 where the CPU 61 executes a function picture display process. Thatis, the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a function picture asexemplified in FIG. 23. The number (2) of E-mail messages directed tothe symbol 103 corresponding to the password that was input to thewindow 101 and the number (1) of telephone calls (item “TEL”) directedto the same symbol 103 are shown in this function picture. The displayexample of FIG. 23 is of a case where the user of the blue symbol 103input his password. While in the menu picture of FIG. 18 the number ofE-mail messages is 5 and the number of telephone calls is 2 (the numberof E-mail messages or telephone calls directed to all family members andstored in the storage device 64), the function picture of FIG. 23 showsthe number of only the E-mail messages or telephone calls directed toJon who is given the blue symbol 103.

When a user wants to see, for instance, E-mail messages, he touches thecharacters “E-Mail” (information key) shown in FIG. 23 with the pen 4.At step S13, the CPU 61 judges whether an information key has beenselected. If it is judged that an information key has been selected, theprocess goes to step S14, where the CPU 61 reads out informationcorresponding to the selected information key and causes the LCD 11 todisplay it. For example, when a user has selected the information key of“E-Mail”, the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a MAIL/TEL picture asshown in FIG. 21 and show E-mail messages directed to Jon of the bluesymbol 103 (the E-mail messages shown in the display example of FIG. 21are not ones directed to Jon).

As shown in FIG. 23, three tabs 131 of “WEB,” “MAIL/TEL,” and “HOME NET”are shown at the bottom. By selecting one of those tabs 131, atransition to the corresponding mode is effected. The tab “WEB” isselected in the case of accessing a given server through the Internet,for instance. The tab “MAIL/NET” is selected in the case of transmittingE-mail or making a telephone call. The tab “HOME NET” is selected in thecase of controlling an electronic device connected to the IEEE 1394 bus52.

If it is judged at step S13 that no information key has been selected,the process goes to step S15, where it is judged whether any of thethree tabs 131 has been selected. If it is judged none of the tabs 131have been selected, the process goes to step S12 to repeat the ensuingprocess.

If it is judged at step S15 that one of the tabs 131 has been selected,the process goes to step S16, where a transition to the correspondingmode is made and a picture corresponding to the selected tab 131 isdisplayed. For example, when the tab “WEB” has been selected, the WEBmode is established and a WEB picture as shown in FIG. 20 is displayedon the LCD 11. When the tab “MAIL/TEL” has been selected, the MAIL/TELmode is established and a MAIL/TEL picture as shown in FIG. 21 isdisplayed. When the tab “HOME NET” has been selected, the HOME NET modeis established and a HOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed.

A button 142 as a home return key is shown at the top-right corner ofeach of the displayed pictures of the three respective modes shown inFIGS. 20-22. The button 142 is manipulated to return to the menu picturein a state that one of the three modes is established. Therefore, in astate that one of the pictures of FIGS. 20-22 is displayed, it is judgedat step S17 whether the home return key (button 142) has been turned on.If it is judged that the home return key has been turned on, the processreturns to step S1, where the CPU 61 causes the LCD 11 to display a menupicture as shown in FIG. 18.

If it is judged at step S17 that the button 142 has not 8beenmanipulated, the process goes to step 518, where it is judged whether atab key has been selected. As shown in FIGS. 20-22, three tab keys 131are shown in the picture of each mode. A transition to another mode canbe effected in each mode by selecting the corresponding tab key. Amongthe three tabs 131, the tab of the current mode is shown above the othertabs to allow a user to recognize the current mode.

At step S18, it is judged whether any of the three tabs 131 has beenselected. If it is judged that one of the tabs 131 has been selected,the process goes to step S16, where a transition to the modecorresponding to the selected tab is made and a picture of the selectedmode is displayed.

If it is judged at step S18 that none of the tabs 131 have beenselected, the process goes to step S19, where it is judged whether anyof the other buttons (keys) has been selected. If it is judged that noneof the other buttons have been selected, the process returns to step S17to repeat the ensuing process. If it is judged at step S19 that one ofthe other buttons has been selected, the process goes to step S20, wherea process corresponding to the selected button is executed.

For example, when a desired E-mail message is selected from the list ofpreviously received E-mail messages that is shown in a window 201 in theMAIL/TEL picture of FIG. 21 by moving the cursor, the information of thenewly selected E-mail is shown in a bottom window 202. FIG. 24 shows astate that the contents of another E-mail is displayed. In the displayexample of FIG. 24, information that has been received via facsimile isdisplayed in the window 202.

As described above, in the embodiment of the invention, the E-mailinformation and the facsimile information are handled as substantiallythe same type of information. Next, the process of the MAIL/TEL modewill be described in detail with reference to a flowchart of FIGS.25-28. This process is executed in a state that any of MAIL/TEL picturesshown in FIGS. 21-24 is displayed (i.e., in the MAIL/TEL mode).

First, at step S31, the CPU 61 judges whether an input for a receivedmail selection process has been made. As described above, this selectionis done by selecting a desired one from the received mail list shown inthe window 201 of, for instance, FIG. 21 by using the cursor. When acertain mail message has been selected, the process goes to step S32,where the selected mail is read out from the storage device 64 anddisplayed on the LCD 11. That is, when another received mail message isselected in a state that a certain received mail message is displayed asshown in FIG. 21, the newly selected mail is displayed in the window 202as shown in FIG. 24.

If it is judged at step S31 that none of the received mail messages havebeen selected, the process goes to step S33, where it is judged whethera mail button (for instance, a button 141B shown in FIG. 21) has beenselected. If the mail button has been selected, the process goes to stepS34, where a mail generation picture display process is executed.

If it is judged that the mail button (button 141B) has not been turnedon, the process goes to step S41, where it is judged whether a telephonebutton (for instance, a button 141A shown in FIG. 21) has been turnedon. The button 141A is manipulated in the case of making a telephonecall or receiving a call. If it is judged that the button 141A has beenturned on, the process goes to step S42, where a video phone picturedisplay process is executed.

On the other hand, if it is judged at step S41 that the button 141A hasnot been turned on, the process goes to step S43, where it is judgedwhether any of the other ones of the buttons 141 shown in FIG. 21 hasbeen turned on. If it is judged that one of those buttons has beenturned on, the process goes to step S44, where a process correspondingto the manipulated button is executed. If it is judged that none ofthose buttons have been turned on, the process returns to step S31 torepeat the ensuing process.

If it is judged at step S33 that the mail button 141B has been turnedon, the process goes to step S34, where the mail generation picturedisplay process is executed and a mail generation picture as exemplifiedin FIG. 29 is displayed on the LCD 11. In the display example of FIG.29, a table stored in the storage device 64 and correlating E-mailaddresses (URLs) with telephone numbers is displayed in a window 211together with the names of related persons. A space where to input atitle of mail to be transmitted is displayed in a window 212 under thewindow 211. A space where to input a body of the mail to be transmittedis displayed in a window 213 under the window 212.

In a state that this type of mail generation picture is displayed, auser generates mail to be transmitted at step S35. For example, when theuser wants to write E-mail, for instance, he inputs a title and a bodyby manipulating the character input device 54. The characters thus inputare transmitted by radio and received by the RF transmission/receptionsection 65. Upon reception of a signal of the input characters, the CPU61 causes the LCD 11 to display the text data at a proper position(window 212 or 213).

On the other hand, when the user wants to generate facsimile mail, hecauses the AV controller 53 to read out a document for transmission witha scanner (not shown) and transmit data of the read-out document to theRF transmission/reception section 65 by radio. Alternatively, the AVcontroller supplies the data to the base 1 via the IEEE 1394 bus 52 andthe data is then transmitted from the RF transmission/reception section46 by radio and captured by the RF transmission/reception section 65.The CPU 61 causes the CPU 213 to display the facsimile image data thuscaptured.

At step S36, the user judges whether to transmit E-mail. If E-mail is tobe transmitted, the process goes to step S37, where the user selects themail address (URL) of a person to whom the mail is to be sent from thecorrelation table shown in the window 211 of FIG. 29. This is done bymoving the cursor to the corresponding position. If the selection ismade, the process goes to step 538, where the CPU 61 executes a processof sending the E-mail that was written at step S35 to the person (URL)that was selected at step S37.

Specifically, the CPU 61 requests, via the RF transmission/receptionsection 65, the CPU 43 of the base 1 to send the E-mail and outputs thedata of the E-mail to be sent. The CPU 43 of the base 1 captures thecommand and data via the RF transmission/reception section 46 andcontrols the modem 47 to make it access the person of the specified URL.The CPU 61 then causes the modem 47 to send the E-mail to the person(URL) accessed.

If it is judged at step S36 that the mail to be sent is not E-mail, itmeans that a facsimile message should be sent. Therefore, the processgoes to step S39, where the user selects the telephone number of aperson to whom a facsimile message is to be sent from the correlationtable shown in the window 211 of FIG. 29. This is done also by movingthe cursor to the position of the telephone number of that person. Whena telephone number has been selected, the process goes to step S40,where the CPU 61 executes a process of sending the facsimile documentthat was generated at step S35 to the facsimile machine of the telephonenumber that was specified at step S39. Also in this case, the CPU 61supplies a transmission command and data to the base 1 via the RFtransmission/reception section 65. In the base 1, the CPU 43 receivesthe command and data via the RF transmission/reception section 46 andcontrols the modem 47 to make it transmit the facsimile data to thespecified person via the telephone circuit 51.

On the other hand, if it is judged at step S41 that the button 141A(telephone button) shown in FIG. 21 has been turned on, the process goesto step S42, where a video phone picture display process is executed anda video phone picture as exemplified in FIG. 30 is displayed on the LCD11. In this display example, a screen for displaying an image of aperson to talk with is displayed in a top window 221 and a tableindicating a correlation among names of persons, mail addresses, andtelephone numbers is displayed in a window 222. The correlation tabledisplayed in the window 22 is the same as that displayed in the window211 of FIG. 29.

While in the picture of FIG. 29 for generating E-mail or a facsimiledocument the correlation table is displayed at the top position, in thepicture of FIG. 30 for telephone conversation the correlation table isdisplayed at the bottom position. The reason for this arrangement is asfollows. With the picture of FIG. 30, a user talks with the other personby telephone while watching his image that is displayed in the window221. If the window 221 in which to display an image of the other personwere is located at the bottom position (if the window 222 for thecorrelation table were located at the top position, the user would havedownward-directed eyes in his image that is taken by the video camera 12that is located at the top of the terminal 3. The arrangement of FIG. 30is employed to avoid this problem. That is, by locating the window 221in which to display the other person's image close to the video camera12, the user's image can be captured with a proper angle.

In the state that the video phone picture is displayed in the abovemanner, the process goes to step S45, where it is judged whether a callfrom the other person has arrived. If it is judged that a call hasarrived, the process goes to step S47, where a call arrival button (forexample, a button 161A shown in FIG. 30) is caused to flash, whereby theuser can recognize call arrival. At this time, the CPU 61 causes thespeaker 13 to emit call arrival sound. At step S48, the CPU 61 judgeswhether the button 161A (call arrival button) has been turned on. If itis judged that the button 161A has not been turned on, the processreturns to step S45 to repeat the ensuing process. If it is judged atstep S48 that the button 161A (call arrival button) has been turned on,the process goes to step S49, where the CPU 61 executes call arrivalprocess.

Specifically, the CPU 61 requests, via the RF transmission/receptionsection 65, the CPU 43 of the base 1 to execute a call arrival process.In response to this request, the CPU 43 controls the modem 47 and makesit to execute the call arrival process. As a result, the telephonecircuit is closed.

When the telephone circuit has been closed, the process goes to stepS50, where the user start speaking by telephone. The CPU 61 supplies theuser's voice that is captured with the microphone 15 to the base 1 viathe RF transmission/reception section 65. The CPU 43 of the base 1transmits the user's voice that is captured via the RFtransmission/reception section 46 to the other person via the modem 47.Further, when receiving, via the modem 47, an audio signal that istransmitted from the other person, the CPU 43 supplies it to theterminal 3 via the RD transmission/reception section 46. In the terminal3, the audio signal originating from the other person is received by theRF transmission/reception section 65 and output from the speaker 13.

When a video signal is transmitted from the other person together withthe audio signal, at step S51 an image of the other person is displayedin the window 221. FIG. 31 shows a state that an image of the otherperson is displayed in the window 221 in this manner.

At step S52, the CPU 61 executes a self monitor display process, wherebya self monitor where to display the user's own image is displayed in awindow 231. At step S53, the CPU 61 judges whether a self-image displaybutton (button 232 shown in FIG. 31) in the window 231 has been turnedon. The user turns on the button 232 when he wants to transmit his ownimage and have it displayed in the window 221 of the terminal 3 of theother person. If it is judged that the self-image display button 232 hasbeen turned on, the process goes to step S54, where a default image thathas been registered in advance in the storage device 64 is read out anddisplayed in the window 231 as a self-image. With this measure, forexample, when the user receives an unexpected call and he does not wantto transmit his current image to the other person, he can transmit animage that has been registered in advance in the storage device 64. Aregistered image that is displayed first may be an image correspondingto the input password.

The window 231 has a button 233 to change the image to be displayed inthe window 231 (i.e., the image to be transmitted to the other person).At step S55, it is judged whether the button 233 has been turned on. Ifit is judged that the button 233 has been turned on, the process goes tostep S56, where the CPU 61 reads out another image stored in the storagedevice 64 or captures a current image of the user just taken by thevideo camera 12, and displays the image in the window 231. FIG. 32 showsa display example in this state. If it is judged at step S55 that thechange button 233 has not been turned on, step S56 is skipped.

At step S57, it is judged whether a preset time has elapsed. If thepreset time has not elapsed yet, the process returns to step S55 torepeat the ensuing process. If it is judged that the preset time haselapsed, the process goes to step S58, where a process of transmittingan image currently displayed in the window 231 to the other person. Thatis, the CPU 61 transmits data of the image being displayed in the window231 to the base 1 via the RF transmission/reception section 65. Uponreception of this image data via the RF transmission/reception section46, the CPU 43 of the base 1 transmits it to the other person via themodem 47. The user's image that is transmitted in this manner isdisplayed in the window 221 of the terminal 3 of the other person.

At step S59, it is judged whether a button for finishing a call (button161B shown in FIG. 32) has been manipulated. If the button 161B has notbeen manipulated, the CPU 61 waits until it is manipulated. The userturns on the button 161B when he wants to finish a call. Uponmanipulation of the button 161B, the process goes from step S59 to stepS60, where the CPU 61 executes a process of opening the telephonecircuit. Then, the process returns to step S31 to repeat the ensuingprocess.

If it is judged at step S53 that the self-image display button 232 hasnot been turned on, the process goes to step S59 skipping steps S54-S58.That is, in this case, the user's registered image is not transmitted tothe other person and only a vocal communication is performed.

On the other hand, if it is judged at step S45 that there is no callarrival, the process goes to step S46, where it is judged whether themail button (button 141B shown in FIG. 30) has been turned on. If it isjudged that the mail button 141B has been turned on, the process returnsto step S34, where the mail generation picture display process isexecuted. Then, the ensuing process is executed. As described above,pictures for making a telephone call or receiving a call (for instance,the picture of FIG. 30) has the button 141B for making a transition to apicture of generating mail, and pictures for generating mail (forinstance, the picture of FIG. 29) has the button 141A for making atransition to a picture for making a telephone call or receiving a call.Therefore, a transition from one kind of picture to the other kind canbe effected easily.

If it is judged at step S46 that the mail button 141B has not beenturned on, a process of making a telephone call to the other person isexecuted at steps S61 onward.

In this case, at step S61, the user inputs the telephone number of aperson to call. This may be done by selecting, with the cursor, adesired one of the preregistered telephone numbers from a correlationtable shown in the window 222 of FIG. 30 or manipulating the characterinput device 54. If a certain telephone number is input in this manner,the process goes to step S62, where the CPU 61 executes the process ofdisplaying a self monitor for displaying a self-image. As a result, thewindow 231 as exemplified in FIG. 31 is superimposed on the picture asshown in FIG. 30.

At step S63, it is judged whether a button 232 (self-image displaybutton) in the window 231 has been turned on. If it is judged that thebutton 232 has not been turned on, the process goes to step S64, whereit is judged whether a call button (button 161A in FIG. 30) has beenturned on. If it is judged that the button 161A has not been turned on,the process returns to step S61 to repeat the ensuing process.

If it is judged at step S63 that the button 232 in the window 231 hasbeen turned on, the process goes to step S65, where the registeredpicture display process is executed. That is, the CPU 61 reads out thedefault image that has been stored in advance in the storage device 64and has it displayed in the window 231. Also in this case, the imagecorresponding to the input password is displayed in the window 231. Atstep S66, it is judged whether the button 233 in the window 231 has beenturned on. If the button 233 has been turned on, the process goes tostep S67, where the CPU 61 reads out another image that is stored in thestorage device or an image captured by the video camera 12. At step S65,the CPU 61 causes the thus-obtained image to be displayed in the window231. In this manner, when necessary, the user manipulates the changebutton 233 to has a desired image displayed in the window 231. If it isjudged at step 566 that the change button 233 has not been turned on,the process goes to step S64, where it is judged whether a call button161A has been turned on.

If it is judged at step S64 that the call button 161A has been turnedon, the process goes to step S68, where the CPU 61 executes a process ofcalling the telephone number that was input at step S61. Specifically,the CPU 61 requests, via the RF transmission/reception section 65, theCPU 43 of the base 1 to perform a calling operation. When receiving thisrequest from the CPU 61 via the RF transmission/reception section 46,the CPU 43 controls the modem 47 and makes it start an operation ofcalling the specified telephone number.

At step S69, it is judged whether the other person has responded. If itis judged that the other person has not responded yet, the process goesto step S73, where it is judged whether the finish button 161B has beenturned on. If it is judged that the finish button 161B has not beenturned on, the process returns to step S68 to continue the process ofcalling the other person. If it is judged at step S73 that the finishbutton 141B has been turned on, the process goes to step S74, where thecalling operation is stopped. Then, the process returns to step S45 torepeat the ensuing process.

If it is judged at step S69 that the other person has responded, theprocess goes to step S70, where a circuit closing process is executed. Aconversation by telephone is started at step S71. At step S72, it isjudged whether an image is displayed in the self monitor (i.e., whetherthe button 232 is turned on). When the user wants to transmit his imageto the other person, he manipulates the button 232 so that the imagepreregistered in the storage device 64 or his own image currentlycaptured by the video camera 12 is displayed in the window 231. If animage is displayed in the window 231 (i.e., if the self-image displaybutton 232 is turned on), the process goes to step S58, where a processof transmitting the same image as displayed in the window 231 to theother person is executed.

If it is judged at step S72 that the button 232 has not been turned on,step S58 is skipped. Then, the process goes to step S59, where the CPU61 waits until the finish button 161B is turned on. Is the finish button161B has been turned on, the process goes to step S60, where the circuitopening process is executed. Then, the process returns to step S45.

It goes without saying that a user can make a telephone call in anordinary manner by using the telephone 2.

Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 33, a detailed descriptionwill be made of the home net control that is performed in a state thatthe HOME NET picture as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. To control adesired device, at S101 a user performs a manipulation of selecting thedevice to be controlled. For example, the user selects, by moving thecursor, an AV device to be controlled from among AV devices that areconnected to each other via the IEEE 1394 bus 52. If a desired device isselected, the process goes to step S102, where the CPU 61 executes aprocess of displaying control buttons for controlling the selected AVdevice. FIG. 34 shows an example of control buttons 171 displayed on theLCD 11. In this example, a television receiver (TV), a video cassetterecorder (VCR), and a digital video disc (DVD) are selected as AVdevices to be controlled and control buttons 171 are displayed.

At step S103, the user selects a desired button from among the buttons171 that are displayed on an AV device basis as shown in FIG. 34 andmakes a control instruction. If one of the buttons 171 of the AV devicesis manipulated, a process corresponding to the manipulated controlbutton 171 is executed at step S104.

At this time, the CPU 61 transmits a command corresponding to themanipulated control button 171 to, for instance, the AV controller 53directly or via the base 1. When capturing the command that is suppliedby radio or via the IEEE 1394 bus 52, the AV controller 53 controls theAV device in accordance with the command. FIG. 35 shows an example of apicture that is displayed in a case of receiving an image of the 120thchannel with the television receiver and recording it with the videocassette recorder.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show how transitions occur between displayed picturesshown in FIGS. 18-24, 29-32, and 34-35. As shown in these figures, whena certain input is made in the menu picture of FIG. 18, the passwordinput picture of FIG. 19 is displayed. If the WEB key is selected and apassword is input, the WEB picture of FIG. 20 is displayed. If apassword is input in a state that the E-Mail key is selected, theMAIL/TE+ picture of FIG. 21 is displayed. If a password is input in astate that the VTR key is selected, the HOME NET picture of FIG. 22 isdisplayed.

If a password is input in a state that a symbol is selected, thefunction picture of FIG. 23 is displayed. If the tab MAIL/TEL isselected in the function picture of FIG. 23, the picture of FIG. 21 isdisplayed.

In each of the three modes of WEB, MAIL/TEL, and HOME NET shown in FIGS.20-22, a transition to another, desired mode can be made by selectingthe corresponding tab that is displayed in each picture. Further, ineach of these three modes, the process can return to the menu picture ofFIG. 18 when the home return key (button 142) is selected.

If another received mail is selected in the MAIL/TEL picture of FIG. 21,the contents of the newly selected mail are displayed as shown in FIG.24.

If the mail button 141B is selected in the MAIL/TEL picture of FIG. 21,the mail generation picture is displayed as shown in FIG. 29. If thetelephone button is selected in the mail generation picture of FIG. 29,a transition to the video phone picture of FIG. 30 occurs. If the mailbutton 141B is selected in the video phone picture of FIG. 30, the mailgeneration picture of FIG. 29 is restored.

If a call arrives in a state that the video phone picture of FIG. 30 isdisplayed, an image of the other person is displayed in the window 221of FIG. 31 and the window 231 is displayed. If the button 232 in thewindow 231 is turned on, a self-image is displayed in the window 231 asshown in FIG. 32 and is transmitted to the other person.

If a desired AV device is selected in the HOME NET picture of FIG. 22,buttons for controlling the selected AV device are displayed as shown inFIG. 34. If a desired control button is manipulated in the display stateof FIG. 34, the control and display corresponding to the manipulatedbutton are performed as shown in FIG. 35.

The terminal 3 is portable; it can easily be removed from the base 1 andcarried. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 38, usually the base 1 is locatedin room A and the telephone 2 and the terminal 3 are mounted on the base1. When a telephone call arrives, a conversation can be performed in anordinary manner by using the telephone 2 if it is not necessary to watchan image of the other person. Naturally, if a user wants to make aconversation by telephone while watching an image of the other person,he may do it in room A by using the terminal 3 in the state that theterminal 3 is mounted on the base 1. Further, the user can control otherAV devices in room A by radio by using the terminal 3.

If E-mail or a facsimile message arrives from a third person in theabove state, the CPU 43 captures its data via the modem 47 and transmitsit to the terminal 3 via the RF transmission/reception section 46. TheCPU 61 of the terminal 3 captured the data via the RFtransmission/reception section 65 and stored it in the storage device64. In this manner, a received facsimile message or E-mail isautomatically stored in the storage device 64.

When E-mail or a telephone call arrives, a person who sent the E-mail ormade the telephone call is identified and an identification result isdisplayed in the menu picture of the terminal 3 as shown in FIG. 18. Byviewing the menu picture, a user can recognize whether E-mail etc.directed to him has arrived by checking whether the colors of respectivemarks 102 coincide with the color of the symbol 103 that is assigned tohim. If necessary, a user can carry the terminal 3 to his room B, wherehe can read out E-mail that is directed him and read its contents (seeFIG. 38).

Although in the above embodiment data exchange between the base 1, thetelephone 2, and the terminal 3 is performed by using a radio signal,it. may be performed by using infrared light. The essential point is thewireless communication.

As described above, since E-mail or a facsimile message is automaticallyreceived in the terminal 3 and stored in the storage device 64, it isnot necessary to display received information on a television receiveror the like. For example, even where the television receiver is notturned on, such information can automatically be received and stored.Therefore, each family member can immediately recognize arrival of evenurgent information. Since E-mail or a facsimile message can be displayedon the terminal 3 itself to allow its recognition, there does not occuran event that arrival of such information prevents other family membersfrom fully enjoying television programs, unlike the case of displayingsuch information on the television. Further, since the terminal isportable, a user can carry it to his room and check it there. Therefore,even if the terminal 3 is shared by a plurality of family members, theirprivacy can be secured.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable wireless information processingapparatus comprising; a storing means for storing E-mail addresses andtelephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be accessed through atelephone network; a manipulation means to be manipulated in accessing adesired person through the telephone network; a first display means fordisplaying, when an instruction to access a certain person by E-mail ismade, a correlation table of the E-mail address and the telephonenumbers of the respective persons and information necessary to transmitE-mail at the same time; a second display means for displaying, when aninstruction to access a certain person by telephone is made, acorrelation table corresponding to that displayed by the first displaymeans and image information necessary for access by telephone at thesame time; a third display means for displaying control of an electricapparatus in a house to be controlled through said telephone networkwhen a home net instruction is accessed; and an accessing means foraccessing, when one person is selected from the correlation table, theselected person through the telephone network.
 2. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the informationdisplayed by the first display means is a message to be transmitted byE-mail.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the information displayed by the second display means is animage of the accessed person.
 4. An information processing method forprocessing information in a portable wireless information processingapparatus, the method comprising: a storing step of storing E-mailaddresses and telephone numbers of a plurality of persons to be accessedthrough a telephone network; a manipulation step in which a manipulationis made in accessing a desired person through the telephone network; afirst display step of displaying, when an instruction to access acertain person by E-mail is made, a correlation table of the E-mailaddresses and the telephone numbers of the respective persons andinformation necessary to transmit E-mail at the same time; a seconddisplay step of displaying, when an instruction to access a certainperson by telephone, a correlation table corresponding to that displayedby the first display means and information necessary for access bytelephone at the same time; a third display step of displaying, when aninstruction to access controls of an electric apparatus in a house to becontrolled through said telephone network when a home net instruction isaccessed; and an accessing step of accessing, when one person isselected from the correlation table, the selected person through thetelephone network.
 5. A display control apparatus for controllingdisplay of information on a portable wireless display device,comprising: first display means for displaying first informationnecessary to access a certain person who is determined by an E-mailaddress; second display means for displaying second informationnecessary to access a certain person who is determined by a telephonenumber; third display means for displaying control of an electricapparatus in a house to be controlled through said telephone networkwhen a home net instruction is accessed; first manipulation means to bedisplayed together with the first information and to be manipulated inmaking a transition from a state that the first information is displayedto a state that the second information is displayed; and secondmanipulation means to be displayed together with the second informationand the to be manipulated in making a transition from the state that thesecond information is displayed to the state that the first informationis displayed.
 6. The display control apparatus according to claim 5,wherein each of the first and second manipulation means is a buttondisplayed on the display device.
 7. A display control method forcontrolling display of information on a portable wireless displaydevice, comprising: a first step of displaying first informationnecessary to access a certain person who is determined by an E-mailaddress; a second step of displaying second information necessary toaccess a certain person who is determined by a telephone number; a thirdstep of displaying, together with the first information, a firstmanipulation portion to be manipulated in making a transition from astate that the first information is displayed to a state that the secondinformation is displayed; a fourth step of displaying, together with thesecond information, a second manipulation portion to be manipulated inmaking a transition from the state that the second information isdisplayed to the state that the first information is displayed; and afifth step of displaying third information necessary to control anelectric apparatus in a house through a telephone network when a homenet instruction is accessed.